Appendix 8 - Objection (Gifford)
Perth and Kinross Council · 11 August 2025
Back to Licensing Committee — 11 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 SPR STL From: Sent: 05 June 2025 17:54 To: SPR STL Subject: Objection to STL licence application Categories: OBJECTIONS/COMPLAINTS CAUTION: This email originated from an external organisation. Do not follow guidance, click links, or open attachments unless you have verified the sender and know the content is safe. To whom it may concern I am writing to register my objection to the application for a short-term letting licence details of which are given below; Ref no: 124112461 ID: 2271 Schiehallion House Strathtummel Aberfeldy PH16 5NT At the time of application the property in question is only at or nearing completion of construction. The original application for planning permission (granted in 2019) to construct the house in question was for a " dwelling house". The house therefore to all intents and purposes has not been used as a private dwelling which is perhaps a separate issue as it contradicts the purpose for which planning was granted in the first place. This is pertinent as the area is currently under consultation for designation as a STL Control Area Putting the above point to one side my immediate concerns are: The property, which is large, built over 4 floors and sits on the north shore of loch Tummel, already imposes a significant visual impact when viewed from the water and the south shore. The impact and potential for sound and light pollution as guests, of whom there may be up to 10 at any one time, use the facilities should not be underestimated. Living opposite the site on the south shore of the loch, I can testify to the levels of noise we have had to put up with during 5 years of construction! The peace and tranquility of what is both a designated scenic area and a special area of conservation is at risk. Noise transmits freely over water and is often magnified by the hillside and woods behind. Light is reflected on the waters surface multiple times and the effect to residents having to endure this will be deleterious. All of which negatively impacts on residents and visitors enjoyment of the surrounding environment and their own property. The house has provision for launching and berthing watercraft. This poses the potential for the use of motorised watercraft . Currently, and for many years now, use of motorised watercraft has been restricted by a "locals agreement" to day cruisers operated at slow speed so causing a minimum of disturbance to people and wildlife. Also the local sailing club operates rescue boats observing safe
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2 and considerate speeds. IF a STL licence were granted and should the need arise, would there be a willingness to comply with this? It would be difficult and it would need to be voluntary. Difficult when guests want to have a good time, are ephemeral and only there for a short stay. The proposed change of use from a dwelling to commercial short term let holiday business will increase significantly the level of footprint and activity from the site in all aspects. To date no attempt has been made to reduce the visual impact of the property. A considerable number of trees were felled to clear the site for construction which has also opened the properties views to the loch. Unfortunately, without any mitigating landscaping and planting to buffer this it is reciprocal and now other house owners and members of the public have no other option but to look back. Lastly, I also would like to point out that when the original planning application was submitted and approved for Schiehallion House (then referred to as Aldcharmaig) being the name for the original cottage on the site, permission was sought and granted for another large building, a boathouse at the western end of the property. As construction on this has not yet begun I can only anticipate that there is more noise and disturbance to come. I strongly recommend that the application for a STL is rejected David Gifford North Cottage Foss Nr Pitlochry PH 16 5NQ